at 21. But it increases the total white, or Eagle required merit badges from 12 to 13. This does impact our scouts, most Eagle candidates in Troop 9 have 30+ merit badges when the apply to advance to Eagle, but no scouts in Troop 9 have worked on or earned the Cooking Merit Badge in about 5 years. The leadership will work on offering this merit badge again over several camping trips starting this fall.